A TON OF MEAT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17130, 4 September 1926, Page 11

A TON OF MEAT

A HUGE FRIESIAN WOELD'S RECORD BULLOCK Stock men and the public generally have been much interested during the week in the champion bullocks sold at the National market last week, and the weight guessing competition held in connection with the unemployment tund. The bullock, a purebred Fl'iesiau, was bred by Mr. A. K. Elworthy, Ximaru, and was bought several years ago and fattened by Mr. A. J. Keith, Ashburton, by whom it was sold at the "National" and purchased bv Dixon Bros., of Christehurch, for £9O. English stock annals refer frequently to a famous "Durham ox," which astonished the peo-pde in the early years of 'last century by his tremendous size. He was travelled in a. specially constructed van upwards of 3000 miles between 1601 and 1807 and publicly exhibited. An offer of £2OOO was refused for him on one occasion. At the end of his career he turned the scale live, weight at 34cwt. (38U81b.) This famous beast has never_,,been approached ■• for weight in the British Isles, and it .-appeared that the record was to remain unbroken.

Much speculation, therefore, has been occasioned amongst stock men as to whether Mr. Keith's Colossus compared with the old-time English champion, twelve months ago last- June, he weighed 36531b5. hut fell back several hundred pounds in weight under the stress of travelling. Wlien killed the bullock turned the scale at dead weight, s.i against the Durham ox's 23321 b., the Liiesian therefore having the advantage hv 72Mb.